French Open Day 2: ‘Sad’ Nishikori beaten by Klizan
Originally published on 26/05/14
The No.9 seed had not played a competitive match since withdrawing from the Mutua Madrid Open final against Rafael Nadal with a back injury. And on a wet and gloomy day in Paris, the Japanese could not cope with Munich champion Klizan's powerful hitting as he dominated proceedings to win 7-6(4) 6-1 6-2.
"It was my first time playing points after Madrid, so I didn't have much rhythm,” said Nishikori, who has not lost in the first round at Roland Garros before. “And also my serve, I didn't hit any serve 100 per cent before today. I thought it's going to get better and I’d get more rhythm after a couple of sets, but I couldn't. So I couldn't do anything today.
"I knew this is going to be happen. But [I was] able to finish the match. I was playing well on clay in Europe, so it's very sad for me to lose first round here. But it's good I didn't have another injury.''
Nishikori, who won on clay in Barcelona before reaching the final in Madrid, led 5-3 in the first set but then saw Klizan reel off 10 of the next 12 games to move two sets ahead. The world No.10 was broken 10 times, hit 10 double faults and committed 40 unforced errors as Slovakian Klizan sealed the win in one hour and 57 minutes.
After the day’s play was delayed by an hour due to rain, Maria Sharapova wasted no time in progressing to the second round with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 win over fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak in the first match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 2013 finalist needed just over an hour to see off Pervak and said: "It's always nice to get out there on a day like this and good to play the first match The first matches at Grand Slams are always tough, no matter how prepared you are, no matter how many matches you've played. There is always a bit more tension in that type of Grand Slam atmosphere. It's certainly more special, especially when you walk out on court. Considering all that, I thought I played a solid match, did the things I had to do."
No.9 seed Dominika Cibulkova also advanced with a 7-5 6-0 win over France’s Virginie Razzano, who upset Serena Williams in the first round in 2012. There were also wins for 12th seed Flavia Pennetta and Mona Barthel.
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